Derelict and Urban Vacant Land
type: Dataset
theme: Community Wellbeing and Social Environment
timeliness: The annual data uploaded to this site form a timeseries which goes back to 2002. The annual publication date for each statistical publication is publically pre-announced several months in advance.
validity: The main purpose of the statistics is to provide a national data source to inform the programming of rehabilitation, planning and reuse of urban vacant and derelict sites. As part of this the data are used by the Scottish Government to allocate a central fund for the remediation and re-use of vacant and derelict land.
accuracy: Quality checks are undertaken by the Scottish Government working alongside data provders. These data are based on a statistical survey and any known data gaps, revision or issues are made explicit.
consistency: The survey is voluntary and not all local authorities participate in the survey every year. Where a local authority has not provided data for a year, the data from the most recent completed survey has been used. Therefore comparisons between years must be made with care and only for individual local authorities where suitable data exist. Non-participating councils are identified for each year in an Annex Table in the [most recent publication](http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/Publications). From 2011 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park took responsibility for surveying vacant and derelict land within the park boundaries. These sites are no longer recorded in Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire local authority boundaries, and are separately identifiable as Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park from 2011. Prior to 2011, these sites were classified within the relevant local authority boundary. Therefore from 2011 to obtain a Scotland total, figures for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park should be included along with those for other local authorities. These statistics are not collected in all UK countries and therefore UK comparisions cannot be made directly.
uniqueness: Not assessed
completeness: These statistics are published in a series of different formats including HTML, Pdf, Word and Excel in order to provide a range of ways to access the data.
comment: Area of Derelict and Urban Vacant Land (hectares)
update frequency: annual
license id: uk-ogl
confidentiality: These data do not contain any personal data and the data are not disclosive. Anybody who is seeking access to more detailed record level data must complete a data access form which is then assessed by the Scottish Government to decide whether access should be granted.
quality management: A comprehensive quality assurance procedure is undertaken by the Scottish Government prior to the publication of these statistics. Checks and data cleaning are undertaken on the raw data, the analysis of the data and the write up of the data. Scottish Government work with data providers during this process.
geographical coverage: S12
geographical coverage: S21
geographical coverage: S92
will be updated: true
reference period: PeriodOfTime
  start date: 2002
  end date: 2019
next update: 2022-01-01
description: Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey. Source: [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/Publications](http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/Publications) Derelict land (and buildings) is land which has been so damaged by development, that it is incapable of development for beneficial use without rehabilitation. In addition the land must currently not be used for the purpose for which it is held or a use acceptable in the local plan. Land also qualifies as derelict if it has an un-remedied previous use which could constrain future development. Vacant land is land which is unused for the purposes for which it is held and is viewed as an appropriate site for development. This land must either have had prior development on it or preparatory work has taken place in anticipation of future development. This indicator covers vacant land (referred to as 'urban vacant') that is located within settlements of over 2,000 in population as defined in council local plans. Sites covering less than 0.1 hectare are excluded. The survey is voluntary. If a local authority does not complete the survey the most recent available data is used. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the collection of SVDL survey for 2021 the publication date remains under review and cannot at the present time be pre-announced. If you have any questions please contact planstats@gov.uk.
version notes: In 2015 revisions were made to the data back to 2009 to record improved information. In 2017 revisions were made to the data back to 2011 to record improved information identified during the 2017 survey. In 2018 revisions were made to the data back to 2012 to record improved information identified during the 2018 survey. All revision are made explicit in the publication of these data and a revisions policy is published on the [Scottish Government website](https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning).
issued: 2026-08-13T12:06:06.720778
modified: 2026-08-13T12:07:14.255921
contact point: Organization
contact point: Kind

Community Wellbeing and Social Environment
type: Concept

Scottish Government
type: Agent

vacant-derelict-land.csv
type: Distribution
comment: Area of Derelict and Urban Vacant Land (hectares)
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyName
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyType
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: DateCode
  type: int
dictionary: Column
  column: Measurement
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Units
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Value
  type: int
dictionary: Column
  column: Area
  type: text
table schema: Schema
  column: Column
    name: GeographyCode
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: GeographyName
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: GeographyType
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: DateCode
    datatype: int
  column: Column
    name: Measurement
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Units
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Value
    datatype: int
  column: Column
    name: Area
    datatype: text
description: Data file for Derelict and Urban Vacant Land
format: CSV
access URL: https://admin.data.gov.scot/resource/04fd05d8-1233-4055-adb1-e5457f390fdb/download
issued: 2026-08-13T12:07:14.279326
modified: 2026-08-13T12:07:14.270117